MI Local Foodbeet is here to help YOU learn how easy it is to eat local in Michigan: recipes, food preservation instructions, store locations, restaurant reviews, and more. Although I occasionally receive unsolicited discounts or samples, the opinions in the blog posts are my own.
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Monday, June 4, 2012

Green Kitchen

The other day I visited Tree Huggers in Grand Rapids with
paper and pen in hand. (They also have a location in downtown Holland.) I have
been shopping there for a while and occasionally take recyclables with me –
they have an extensive and unique recycling center. See below for a list of the
materials that they take for recycling.

Founder, Angela Topp took me on a green kitchen tour of the
store. I hope that you get to meet her and chat with her some time. Her
environmental passion is strong and her knowledge extensive.

All of the products in the store have an environmental
story. There are recycled content kitchen items from Preserve: strainers (I
love mine), cutting boards, and dishes. There are produce and shopping bags
from Chico Bags, composters and supplies, bamboo kitchen towels, and dishes for
children. The organic cotton bibs are made by American Apparel and screen printed
by Holland, MI artist Nicole Sheahan. There is an extensive selection of
on-the-go containers and utensils.

I picked up some bamboo flat wear for summer
picnics. They source as close to home as possible; many items are made in
Michigan or at least the United States. When they do purchase items made
elsewhere they try to make sure that the products are sustainably and ethically
manufactured.

The latest big news to come from this cutting edge business
is the Package-Free Grocery slated to start in mid-June. Tree Huggers will
partner with Bartertown Diner for this foodie adventure. The store will have an
extensive selection of vegan and vegetarian food in bulk. To start, they will
carry bulk items such as dry beans, grains, and flours, some local produce, and
condiments. They will also sell the Bartertown deli sandwiches and raw
desserts. (Have you had the raw desserts at Bartertown? They are fabulous.)

So, grab that toothpaste tube and the other odd plastics that you always felt guilty
sending to the landfill and bring them to Tree Huggers for recycling. Bring those
bags and mismatched containers that have been cluttering your kitchen and head
on over to the new grocery in town.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Hug Club.
Make six purchases at the store and receive a 10% rebate. We are so lucky to
have such a great resource in Western Michigan.